What was Jesus’s core message? All of the first-century biographers agree. It was very simple, and he said it over and over again: “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15). Most of us are confused about that. When we think of ‘heaven’ we think of some other time, some other place. But not Jesus. He’s thinking about your life, right here, right now. Step into heaven. It’s right there in front of you. Step in and call others to join you. The question isn’t when or where; the question is ‘What is it?’ and ‘How do we dare?’ Jesus’s stories of the kingdom tell us what and how. They call us to act with great boldness because we have a great hope.

In our text this week Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest manager (unrighteous steward) that is called to give account. He quickly seeks to establish relationships with those who owe debts to his boss. We look into the strategy of Community realizing the currency of the kingdom is relationship.

What was Jesus’s core message? All of the first-century biographers agree. It was very simple, and he said it over and over again: “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15). Most of us are confused about that. When we think of ‘heaven’ we think of some other time, some other place. But not Jesus. He’s thinking about your life, right here, right now. Step into heaven. It’s right there in front of you. Step in and call others to join you. The question isn’t when or where; the question is ‘What is it?’ and ‘How do we dare?’ Jesus’s stories of the kingdom tell us what and how. They call us to act with great boldness because we have a great hope.

In our text this week Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest manager (unrighteous steward) that is called to give account. He quickly seeks to establish relationships with those who owe debts to his boss. We look into the strategy of Community realizing the currency of the kingdom is relationship.

What was Jesus’s core message? All of the first-century biographers agree. It was very simple, and he said it over and over again: “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15). Most of us are confused about that. When we think of ‘heaven’ we think of some other time, some other place. But not Jesus. He’s thinking about your life, right here, right now. Step into heaven. It’s right there in front of you. Step in and call others to join you. The question isn’t when or where; the question is ‘What is it?’ and ‘How do we dare?’ Jesus’s stories of the kingdom tell us what and how. They call us to act with great boldness because we have a great hope.

In our text this week Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest manager (unrighteous steward) that is called to give account. He quickly seeks to establish relationships with those who owe debts to his boss. We look into the strategy of Community realizing the currency of the kingdom is relationship.

What was Jesus’s core message? All of the first-century biographers agree. It was very simple, and he said it over and over again: “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15). Most of us are confused about that. When we think of ‘heaven’ we think of some other time, some other place. But not Jesus. He’s thinking about your life, right here, right now. Step into heaven. It’s right there in front of you. Step in and call others to join you. The question isn’t when or where; the question is ‘What is it?’ and ‘How do we dare?’ Jesus’s stories of the kingdom tell us what and how. They call us to act with great boldness because we have a great hope.

In our text this week Jesus tells a parable - a story - to communicate the truth about His Kingdom. Jesus is the nobleman. The “slaves” (RSV) or “servants” (NIV) are Jesus’s followers. The “pounds” (RSV) or “minas” (NIV) or about three month’s wages are your God given gifts or talents. Have someone in your group summarize the bones of the parable. Do no leave out the judgment (both blessings and curses) that occur when the nobleman (Jesus) returns.

What was Jesus’s core message? All of the first-century biographers agree. It was very simple, and he said it over and over again: “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15). Most of us are confused about that. When we think of ‘heaven’ we think of some other time, some other place. But not Jesus. He’s thinking about your life, right here, right now. Step into heaven. It’s right there in front of you. Step in and call others to join you. The question isn’t when or where; the question is ‘What is it?’ and ‘How do we dare?’ Jesus’s stories of the kingdom tell us what and how. They call us to act with great boldness because we have a great hope.

In our text this week Jesus tells a parable - a story - to communicate the truth about His Kingdom. Jesus is the nobleman. The “slaves” (RSV) or “servants” (NIV) are Jesus’s followers. The “pounds” (RSV) or “minas” (NIV) or about three month’s wages are your God given gifts or talents. Have someone in your group summarize the bones of the parable. Do no leave out the judgment (both blessings and curses) that occur when the nobleman (Jesus) returns.

What was Jesus’s core message? All of the first-century biographers agree. It was very simple, and he said it over and over again: “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15). Most of us are confused about that. When we think of ‘heaven’ we think of some other time, some other place. But not Jesus. He’s thinking about your life, right here, right now. Step into heaven. It’s right there in front of you. Step in and call others to join you. The question isn’t when or where; the question is ‘What is it?’ and ‘How do we dare?’ Jesus’s stories of the kingdom tell us what and how. They call us to act with great boldness because we have a great hope.

In our text this week Jesus tells a parable - a story - to communicate the truth about His Kingdom. Jesus is the nobleman. The “slaves” (RSV) or “servants” (NIV) are Jesus’s followers. The “pounds” (RSV) or “minas” (NIV) or about three month’s wages are your God given gifts or talents. Have someone in your group summarize the bones of the parable. Do no leave out the judgment (both blessings and curses) that occur when the nobleman (Jesus) returns.

What was Jesus’s core message? All of the first-century biographers agree. It was very simple, and he said it over and over again: “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15). Most of us are confused about that. When we think of ‘heaven’ we think of some other time, some other place. But not Jesus. He’s thinking about your life, right here, right now. Step into heaven. It’s right there in front of you. Step in and call others to join you. The question isn’t when or where; the question is ‘What is it?’ and ‘How do we dare?’ Jesus’s stories of the kingdom tell us what and how. They call us to act with great boldness because we have a great hope.

In our text this week Jesus tells a parable - a story - to communicate the truth about His Kingdom. Jesus is the nobleman. The “slaves” (RSV) or “servants” (NIV) are Jesus’s followers. The “pounds” (RSV) or “minas” (NIV) or about three month’s wages are your God given gifts or talents. Have someone in your group summarize the bones of the parable. Do no leave out the judgment (both blessings and curses) that occur when the nobleman (Jesus) returns.

Now more than ever, it seems as though our daily lives are swept with the shifting currents of many winds. We find ourselves challenged by the pace of life, the need to balance family and

work, and figuring out how to navigate an increasingly smaller and complex world where social media constantly alerts us to competing social, political, and religious agendas. It’s in such a windy place as this that we take solace in the words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, bringing to us some much needed reassurance and sanity.

Now more than ever, it seems as though our daily lives are swept with the shifting currents of many winds. We find ourselves challenged by the pace of life, the need to balance family and

work, and figuring out how to navigate an increasingly smaller and complex world where social media constantly alerts us to competing social, political, and religious agendas. It’s in such a windy place as this that we take solace in the words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, bringing to us some much needed reassurance and sanity.

Now more than ever, it seems as though our daily lives are swept with the shifting currents of many winds. We find ourselves challenged by the pace of life, the need to balance family and

work, and figuring out how to navigate an increasingly smaller and complex world where social media constantly alerts us to competing social, political, and religious agendas. It’s in such a windy place as this that we take solace in the words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, bringing to us some much needed reassurance and sanity.